---
title: "Marquez concludes Sepang test ‘generally happy’"
canonical: "https://readmotorsport.com/2017/02/01/marquez-concludes-sepang-test-generally-happy/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Lewis Duncan"
section: "MotoGP News"
published: "2017-02-01T13:17:02Z"
modified: "2017-02-01T13:17:02Z"
---

# Marquez concludes Sepang test ‘generally happy’

Repsol Honda’s Marc Marquez concluded the three-day pre-season test at the Sepang International Circuit third on the combined times and feeling pleased with the progress he made with the new RC213V.

HRC came into this test with a host of new parts to try, not least a new version of the ‘big bang’ engine to compare with the one first introduced in Valencia last year. Marquez spent the week working with various engine maps, and also carried out chassis tests as well as trialling a new exhaust and a thumb-operated rear brake.

![Repsol Honda](https://media.readmotorsport.com/readmotorsport/2017/02/58919722d8d1a1.49077880-904x602.jpg)

Unfortunately, it seems that Honda’s engine woes from the previous two seasons persist, with Marquez complaining at the end of Monday’s running of poor acceleration. The blame was largely laid on the engine’s electronics, with the maps not working well with the latest specification motor. Honda managed to partially fix the problem on Tuesday, though a total fix likely won’t be seen until the next test in Australia.

Marquez’s final day was a hugely productive one. Putting in a massive 85 laps, the Spaniard focussed once again on the RC213V’s electronics and on general changes to the bike’s set-up. Feeling much more comfortable on the bike than he had done during the previous two days, the reigning world champion jumped up the order to second on the times sheets with a 1m59.506s.

“I’m much happier with my position today, even if the rhythm is really more important,” Marquez said.

“We did a lot of laps, aiming to do as much work as possible, and indeed we did a good job; we completed much of our work schedule, though not everything. We need to make further improvements in some areas where I’m not yet totally comfortable, but even so, I’m happy that we got better and better over the three days, which is the most important thing.

![Repsol Honda](https://media.readmotorsport.com/readmotorsport/2017/02/5891973891d829.93853998-904x603.jpg)

“Today we again worked a lot on the electronics and also on the bike setup. In the last hour I did a mini-long run of 11 laps, sacrificing the time-attack a bit, but for us it was more important to work on the pace. I’m generally very happy with how the three days went.”

Marquez, as well as team-mate Dani Pedrosa, will head to Jakarta in Indonesia for the official Repsol Honda team launch on February 3 before returning to action on February 15 for the resumption of pre-season testing at Phillip Island.